Human Resources committee recommends four mayoral appointments to full City Council

CHICOPEE, Mass. — The Chicopee City Human Resources Committee voted unanimously March 26 to forward four mayoral appointments to the full City Council for confirmation on April 1.

The committee recommended John Paquette and Andrew Desrosiers for seats on the planning board, Lisa Brantley to the Cultural Council and Yvette Toole to the Commission on Disability. Committee members also moved to close public input, approved minutes from Jan. 14, 2025, and adjourned the meeting.

The committee’s recommendation is advisory: the appointees must be confirmed by the full City Council on April 1 and complete paperwork at the City Clerk’s office (typically signing the book by the Friday after confirmation) before they may begin serving, committee members said.

John Paquette, a planning board nominee, told the committee he has been a Chicopee resident “most of my life” and is currently working in business development. “I’m passionate about the city,” Paquette said, and said his work on specifications and requirements could be relevant to planning board responsibilities. The committee approved his nomination by roll call; Councilor LaBrie, Councilor Roy Arriaga, Councilor Goff and Councilor Pena Castello each voted yes.

Andrew Desrosiers, the second planning board nominee, described growing up in the Jacoby neighborhood and owning a home in Ward 7. He said at age 45 he wanted "to be involved" and "give back" to the city. The committee recorded a unanimous vote to recommend Desrosiers to the full Council.

Lisa Brantley introduced herself as a 10-year Chicopee resident with more than 30 years’ experience in health care and recent experience at the Hampden County Probate and Family Court. The committee recommended Brantley to the Cultural Council; the nomination will be presented to the full Council on April 1.

Yvette Toole said she has lived in Chicopee for about three and a half years and works as director of special education at Baystate Academy Charter Public School, where she serves students and families with disabilities. She said she has worked with AANE (Association for Autistic Community/Autism network for adults) and regularly makes referrals for students transitioning to adulthood who need disability services. The committee recommended Toole to the Commission on Disability by unanimous roll call vote.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to recommend appointment of John Paquette to the Planning Board (term ending 04/01/2030 as stated at the meeting): motion approved by roll call (LaBrie: yes; Roy Arriaga: yes; Goff: yes; Pena Castello: yes). The committee will forward the recommendation to the full City Council for confirmation on April 1.

- Motion to recommend appointment of Andrew Desrosiers to the Planning Board (term not specified on the record): motion approved by roll call (unanimous). The committee will forward the recommendation to the full City Council for confirmation on April 1.

- Motion to recommend appointment of Lisa Brantley to the Cultural Council (term expiring May 2028 as stated at the meeting): motion approved by roll call (unanimous). The committee will forward the recommendation to the full City Council for confirmation on April 1.

- Motion to recommend appointment of Yvette Toole to the Commission on Disability (three-year term expiring 06/01/2028 as stated at the meeting): motion approved by roll call (unanimous). The committee will forward the recommendation to the full City Council for confirmation on April 1.

- Motion to close public input: approved by roll call (unanimous).

- Motion to accept minutes of Jan. 14, 2025: approved by roll call (unanimous).

- Motion to adjourn: approved by roll call (unanimous).

Committee members and staff repeatedly reminded nominees that, following full-Council confirmation, successful appointees are typically required to "sign the book" in the City Clerk’s office (usually by the Friday after confirmation) before formally beginning service.

Background and context

The Human Resources Committee handles administrative and personnel-related agenda items including mayoral nominations to boards and commissions. Planning board members hear land-use and subdivision matters; the Cultural Council advises on arts and cultural programming; the Commission on Disability focuses on access and services for residents with disabilities. The committee’s action on March 26 was procedural: each nomination will be considered at the full City Council meeting on April 1 for final confirmation.

No public speakers addressed the committee at this meeting. The committee opened and closed public input by unanimous vote.

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